High-proof water-cooled spirit-distilling column.



P. PUBLIGKER. HIGH PROOF WATER OOOLEDSPIRIT DISTILLING COLUMN. APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

P. PUBLIGKER. HIGH PROOF WATER COOLED SPIRIT DISTILLING COLUMN. APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1914.

1 ,09,701, Patented Sept; 8, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y unire srarns r non;

HIGH-racer WATER-Goeman srrmrnisrrrmns COLUMN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

recent-ee sept. s, reta.

Application led May 9, 1914. y Serial No. 837,520.

To zZZwhom it may concern lie it.known that l, PHILH? PUBLICKER, a citizen of' the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county` of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain neu7 and useful `improvements in High-Proof lVater-Cooled Spirit-Distilling Columns, of which the followingY is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in high-proof water-cooled spirit distilling columns, the object of the invention being to provide a `column composed of a vertical series of superimposed units, all immersed in a body of water, and each unit containing a pan which performs the double function of a.- receptacle to collect the distillate and a condensing surface against which the vapor is compelled to flow and condense thereupon.

V A. further object is to provide a column of the character stated having an; improved arrangement of parts, whereby the several units are braced and strengthened a ainst the pressure 'of water, and in whici the several parts are securely held so as ton1aini tain them in proper relative positions.

A. further object is to. provide in a column ofthe character stated, an improved arrangement ot' screened pan for collecting the distillate and connect all of the pans of the several units with a manifold pipe having a vacuum valve at its. lmperend, so that the distillate may freely flow back to therboiler for vapor-ization or toA any other point of discharge.

lVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in 'certain novel features oi construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as Will be more fully hereinafter. described and pointed out in the cla.iIIlS In tlieaccompanying dra-wings: Figure l is a View partly in elevation and partly in vertical section` illustrating my improve-A ments. Fig. 2 1s a vlew 1n horlzontal section on an enlarged vscale von the line 2 2 of Fig. 1', the cover ofl the unit .being removed.' Fig.. 3 isa view in section on, the line of Fig, 2,

l represents a receptacle for Water which lso that the vapor rises through the column,

and the uppermost column being provided with an outlet pipe 7 as clearly shown. All of the units are precisely alike, and hence the description hereinafter oi one, will apply alike to all.

Each unit has a concavo-convex bottom 8 with a Hat top 9 secured thereto, the outer edges of the top being bent over and inclosing the edge of the bottomas shown clearly at 10 to form a tight` juncture. The bottom 8 has a centralinlet opening 11 With a collar 12 around the same` and the `top 9 has an outlet opening 13 with a collar 14 around the same. The'collars 12 and 140i the respective -units are secured around coupling pipes 15"-,)al1 of'said coupling pipes being in alineroent so that the several units `are located one directly above the other. Each unit 5 is' provided with ai concave convex pan 15 which is curved concentrically with the bottom 8 and is appreciablyn smaller than the bottom 8 so as-to provide a uniform space all around the edge of the pan for the passage of vapor. The pan 8 is supported bya series of angle brackets 1G secured to the upper surface of the bottom and to the lower surface of the pan. Above thesebra-ckets 1G, other brackets 17 are located and connect the upper surface of the pan 15 with the top 9.- vBy means ofthisarrangemcnt of alined brackets, the Walls of the unit are strengthened against-collapse by reason of pressure of Twater, and the parts are rigidly maintained in proper relative position.' To further insure a proper positioning of the pan Within the unit', I provide a` series of straps 18 which connect the edges of the pan With the bottom 8 as clearly shown.

Over the pans 15 in the units 5, I locate screens 19, said screens being flat as indicated with their edges secured to the edges of the pan and having openings 20 therein through which the brackets 17 above referred to are projected.

21 represents a manifold pipe which is provided at its upper end with a vacuum valve 22, and at its lower end is connected to lthe boiler for the return of the distillate or to any suitable receptacle (notshown). The manifold pipe 21 is connected by couplings .23 with branch pipes 24. These branch pipes 2li extend through the bottoms 8 of the several units, and are secured in openings 25 in the pans 15, 'and permit the distillate collecting in the pans to drain into the manifold pipe. p

Each of the units above described 4constitutes a condensingchamber which is of considerable area subjected throughout to the cooling action ofthe water, so that I selcure a rapid condensation.

To strengthen the column and hold the several .units against independent movement, I-provide a series of vertical angle bars 26 which are supported on the `bottom of receptacle 1, and are secured by straps 27 to the several units.

The operation is' as follows: The vapor from the boiler passes upwardly through the inlet 6 at the lower end of -tlie column, and flows around the-'pan I15 in the lowest unit 5, thence upward against the bottom of the pan 15 in the unit above, and so on throughout the column. The vapor condenses against the bottom of the pan 15, and against the top 9 of each unit, andthe distillate thus forming in. drops, falls into the pans through the screens 19, so that the distillate is thoroughly screened before it collects in the pan. From the pans, the-distillate flows o through the pipes 24 to the manifold 21.

By constructing units such as above described, the parts-are maintained in relative position, and the walls of. the unit arev strengthened b the bracketsl and 17, so that there can e no collapse from the pressure of water. l 1

It will benoted that the outlet pipe 7 is Abent at an angle, so that any condensation` within this pipe beyond a certain point will not return to the column, but will flow through the pipe to its point of discharge.

Various other slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myvself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A column of the character described,

comprising a vertical series of super-imposed units, each unit having a pan therein, a manifold pipe communicating with all of the pans-and each pan having a screen over the top thereof through which the distillate is compelled to pass before collecting in the pan, substantially as described.

2. A column of the character described, comprising a vertical series of super-imposed units, each unit having a pan therein', a manifold pipe communicating with allot' the pans, and each pan having a s'creen over the top thereof through which the distillate is compelled to pass before collecting in the pan, brackets connecting the bottoms of the pans'with the bottoms of the units and other brackets located in line with the first-mentioned brackets and connecting the upper surfaces of the pans with the tops of the units, said last-mentioned brackets projecting through the screens, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a receptacle containing cooling liquid, of a high-proof spiritdistilling column -submergedinthe liquid of the receptacle and consisting of a plurality of super-imposed units, each unit consisting of a concavo-convex bottom, a. Hat top, a concavo-convex pan above the bottom and concentric therewith, a 'screen over the pan, devices connecting the pan with the bottom and with the top, whereby the latter are braced against pressure from without and the pan spaced from both the top and the bottom, the bottom of each unit connected with the top of the unit below, and a manifold pipe having branch pipes connecting the saine with all of said pans, substantially as described. A

' 4. The combinationv with a receptacle containing cooling liquid, of a high-proof spiritdistilling column submerged 1n the liquid of the receptacle and consisting of a plurality of super-imposed units,each unit consisting of a concavo-convex bottom, a flat top, a concavo-convex pan above the bottom and concentric therewith, a screen over the pan, devices connecting the pan with the bottom and with the top, whereby the latter are braced against pressure from without and the pan spaced from both the top `and the bottom, the bottom of each unit connected with the top of the unit below, a manifold pipe having branch pipes connecting the saine with all of said pans, and vertical bars supported on the bottom of the receptacle and connected to each unit lof the column, substantially as described.

5.- A column of the character described, comprising a vertical series of super-imposed units, each unit consisting of a concavo-convex bottom, a flat to having its edge bent over the edge of tllie bottom, a

concavo-convex band located in the chamber formed by the top and the bottom, straps InA testimony whereof I yhave signed my connecting the pan at its edges with the name to this specification in the presence of bottom, brackets Connecting the pan with two subscribing Witnesses.

the top and With-the bottoni, and a screen PHILIP PUBLICKER. over the pan, each of said pans having a Yitnessesz drain pipe communicating With a common CHAS. E. PoTTs,

nmnifold, substantially as described. M. E. DITTUS. 

